Search filters help students find a suitable teacher quickly. They also mean you get fewer enquiries that aren't right for you. Keeping this information up to date makes sure you get the best enquiries for you.
Where can I set my search criteria?
You can update your search filter settings from within your account. On the top menu, press “Edit profile” and then on the left-hand sidebar press “Search Filters”.
Which settings are available to me?
There are three search filter settings available for you to set:
Availability - the days you are available to teach
Ability Levels - the levels you're happy to teach: beginner, basic, intermediate, advanced and professional
Age Group - informs the student of the age range you are happy to teach. The options are infants (and parents), children, teenagers, adults and seniors. There is now a new section here - what is the youngest age you're happy to teach. This also gives you the option to say you're open to younger students by arrangement.
What's the youngest age you will teach?
We've added a question so you can tell students more precisely what age you're happy to start teaching. "Children" covers a wide range, and a parent of a five-year-old and a parent of an eleven-year-old are looking for quite different things. This setting helps parents see straight away whether you're likely to be a good fit.
How will I be asked?
If you've selected children or teenagers in your Age Group settings, you'll see a pop-up next time you log in asking "What's the youngest age you will teach?" You can also tick "I'm also open to younger students by arrangement" if you're happy to consider younger children case by case.
Once you've completed it, the information will show on your profile. If you close the pop-up without answering, you'll get a notification as a reminder until it's done.
You can change your answer at any time from the Search Filters page in your account.
How do I decide on an age?
Only you can judge what works for you and your teaching, but here are some things worth thinking about:
Physical requirements of the instrument: some instruments need things a young child may not have yet, like adult front teeth (important for many wind and brass instruments), enough hand size or finger span, or the strength and lung capacity to hold and play the instrument comfortably.
Your experience with young children: teaching a six-year-old needs a different approach, pace and lesson structure than teaching a teenager.
Concentration and lesson length: think about whether your usual lesson length suits a young child, or whether shorter lessons would work better.
Reading and understanding: some teaching methods rely on the student reading or following written instructions.
What if I teach more than one instrument or subject?
Your minimum age might be different for each. For example, you might be happy to teach singing from age 6 but saxophone from age 8. In that case, we'd recommend setting the higher age (8), so no one is put off by an age that doesn't apply to them. Then explain the difference in your profile text, for example: "I teach singing from age 6 and saxophone from age 8."
When should I tick "open to younger students by arrangement"?
Age is a useful guide, but it's not the only thing that matters. A highly motivated child can sometimes do really well on an instrument they'd normally be considered too young for.
For example, one of our saxophone teachers was contacted about lessons for an 8-year-old. Their first thought was that he was probably too young. The parent explained that her son's grandfather had been a keen saxophonist, and her son was determined to learn so he could play for him. The teacher asked a few practical questions, like whether he had his adult teeth yet, to check whether lessons would be realistic.
If you're happy to have conversations like this, ticking the box lets parents know they're welcome to get in touch and explain their child's situation. You can then ask any questions you need before deciding whether to go ahead
I only teach adults. Do I need to do anything?
No. If you don't teach children, you won't see this question and you don't need to make any changes.
Where can the student see these settings?
Students can see your settings in two places:
When searching for a teacher, students can use filters to refine their results. For example, a student looking for a teacher for an intermediate teenager on a Tuesday can filter to see teachers with those settings.
At the bottom of your student-facing profile.
What are the advantages of setting these filters?
You're more likely to be found: students can search for teachers who've added this information. Without your filters set, a student may not see your profile.
Fewer unsuitable enquiries: you won't get as many enquiries from students you may not wish to teach because of their age, ability or availability.
It's also worth adding to your availability details in your profile text, such as specific times or anything else about when you can offer lessons. Students don't have to use the search filters, so putting this information in your profile text too gives you the best chance of getting enquiries that match what you can offer.
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